More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Catherine Parr

(1512–48)Sixth and last wife of *Henry VIII. Twice widowed before she married the king in 1543, she was a civilized and congenial woman who for the first time brought together his three children from separate marriages to live within his household. After his death she was married for a fourth time (to Thomas Seymour, brother of the protector, the duke of *Somerset), but she died shortly after giving birth to a daughter.